Career and Education Opportunities for Surgical Technicians in Omaha, Nebraska

There is a wide variety of career and education opportunities for surgical technicians in the Omaha, Nebraska area. About 670 people are currently employed as surgical technicians in Nebraska. By 2016, this is expected to grow 33% to about 890 people employed. This is better than the national trend for surgical technicians, which sees this job pool growing by about 25.3% over the next eight years. In general, surgical technicians assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel.

Surgical technicians earn about $17 per hour or $37,320 annually on average in Nebraska and about $18 hourly or $38,740 annually on average nationally. Surgical technicians earn less than people working in the category of Healthcare Technical generally in Nebraska and less than people in the Healthcare Technical category nationally. Surgical technicians work in a variety of jobs, including: operating room surgical technician , scrub technician, and surgery technician .

There are three schools within twenty-five miles of Omaha where you can study to be a surgical technician, among thirty-one schools of higher education total in the Omaha area. Given that the most common education level for surgical technicians is a post-secondary certificate, you can expect to spend a short time training to become a surgical technician if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Surgical Technician

Surgical Technician video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, surgical technicians assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. They also may help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeon's assistants, hold retractors, and help count sponges, needles, and instruments.

Surgical technicians furnish technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses and anesthesiologists. They also hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeons during operations. Equally important, surgical technicians have to scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves and surgical clothing. They are often called upon to ready dressings or bandages and apply or assist with their application following surgery. They are expected to operate or monitor sterilizers, lights and diagnostic apparatus to insure proper operation. Finally, surgical technicians monitor and continually assess operating room conditions, including patient and surgical team needs.

Every day, surgical technicians are expected to be able to see details at a very fine level of focus. They need to articulate ideas and problems. It is also important that they listen to and understand others in meetings.

It is important for surgical technicians to maintain proper sterile environments during surgical procedures. They are often called upon to maintain supply of fluids. They also order surgical supplies. They are sometimes expected to maintain files and records of surgical procedures. Somewhat less frequently, surgical technicians are also expected to observe patients' vital signs to gauge physical condition.

Surgical technicians sometimes are asked to count sponges and instruments before and after operations. And finally, they sometimes have to monitor and continually assess operating room conditions, including patient and surgical team needs.

Like many other jobs, surgical technicians must be thorough and dependable and be reliable.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Omaha include:

Cardiac Technician. Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary-functions, lung capacity, and similar tests.

Dental Hygienist. Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop X-rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.

Radiation Therapist. Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

Radiological Technician. Maintain and use equipment and supplies necessary to demonstrate portions of the human body on x-ray film or fluoroscopic screen for diagnostic purposes.

Sonographer. Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Surgical Technician Training

Southeast Community College Area - Lincoln, NE

Southeast Community College Area, 301south 68th Street Place, Lincoln, NE 68510-2449. Southeast Community College Area is a large college located in Lincoln, Nebraska. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 10,557 students. Southeast Community College Area has an associate's degree program in Surgical Technology/Technologist which graduated thirty-six students in 2008.

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health - Omaha, NE

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health, 720 North 87th Street, Omaha, NE 68114-2852. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health is a small college located in Omaha, Nebraska. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 659 students and an admission rate of 50%. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health has a one to two year program in Surgical Technology/Technologist which graduated fifteen students in 2008.

Iowa Western Community College - Council Bluffs, IA

Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51502-3004. Iowa Western Community College is a medium sized college located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 5,642 students. Iowa Western Community College has a one to two year program in Surgical Technology/Technologist which graduated eleven students in 2008.

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor:
The CBSPD is committed to the certification of healthcare sterile processing and distribution personnel regardless of their workplace setting.

Certified Surgical Technologist:
The choice to become certified demonstrates pride in the profession and a desire to be recognized for mastery of skills unique to surgical technology, as well as an on-going commitment to quality patient care.

Certified First Assistant:
The choice to become certified demonstrates pride in the profession and a desire to be recognized for mastery of skills unique to surgical technology, as well as an on-going commitment to quality patient care.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska photo by Yassie

Omaha is located in Douglas County, Nebraska. It has a population of over 438,646, which has grown by 12.5% in the past ten years. The cost of living index in Omaha, 81, is well below the national average. New single-family homes in Omaha are valued at $105,100 on average, which is far less than the state average. In 2008, 1,576 new homes were built in Omaha, down from 1,905 the previous year.

The three big industries for women in Omaha are health care, educational services, and finance and insurance. For men, it is construction, accommodation and food services, and professional, scientific, and technical services. The average commute to work is about 18 minutes. More than 28.7% of Omaha residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 9.0%, is higher than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Omaha is 4.7%, which is greater than Nebraska's average of 4.5%.

The percentage of Omaha residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 54.5%, is more than the national average but less than the state average. Calvary Baptist Church, Calvary Chapel of Omaha and Calvary Foursquare Gospel Church are all churches located in Omaha. The most common religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church.

Omaha is home to the Gibson and the Cedar Hills Golf Course as well as Al Caniglia Field and Adams Park. Shopping malls in the area include Frederick Square Shopping Center, North Park Shopping Center and Oak View Mall. Visitors to Omaha can choose from Countryside Suites, Hampton Inn Omaha-Central and Townhouse Inn for temporary stays in the area.